Broadcast reception device, broadcast reception method, and broadcast reception program

ABSTRACT

A broadcast reception device includes: a program recording execution unit that stores, into a recording-content storage area, program identification information for identifying a broadcast program, and storage-destination information for specifying a server device storing the broadcast program; a reception function execution unit that transmits the program identification information and the program storage-destination information to the server device specified from the program storage-destination information; and an output unit that outputs sound information and image information on the broadcast program transmitted from the server device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a broadcast reception device, abroadcast reception method, and a broadcast reception program.

BACKGROUND ART

Recording devices, in each of which a broadcast program in digitalbroadcasting is stored in such a recording medium as an optical disc, orin such a storage device as a hard disc drive (HDD), have beenwidespread. The recording devices each plays back the recorded broadcastprogram, so that time-shift viewing of the broadcast program can bemade.

A technique described in Japanese Patent Application laid-open No.2008-289057 (Patent Document 1) records and plays back a broadcastprogram of a selected channel, and deletes the recorded broadcastprogram when the broadcasting of the broadcast program finishes.According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, a user whowould like to record a broadcast program operates a specifying keyduring the playback of the broadcast program and, as a result of theoperation, the recorded broadcast program is prohibited from beingdeleted when the broadcasting of the broadcast program finishes.Accordingly, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is capable ofrecording the broadcast program, which has already started, from itshead position.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-289057

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The technique described in Patent Document 1 records the entirety of thecurrently-viewing broadcast program, and then deletes the unnecessarybroadcast program. Thus, the technique described in Patent Document 1records even the program which the user does not wish to record, so thatan unnecessary process is performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receptiondevice capable of a more useful recording process and playback process.

Means for Solving the Problems

Techniques described in CLAIMS are used as means for solving theproblem.

To give an example, a broadcast reception device has a program recordingexecution unit that acquires program identification information foridentifying a broadcast program, and program storage-destinationinformation for specifying a server device storing the broadcastprogram, and stores the acquired program identification information andthe acquired program storage-destination information into arecording-content storage area. Also, the broadcast reception device hasa reception function execution unit that acquires the programidentification information and the program storage-destinationinformation stored in the recording-content storage area, and transmitsthe program identification information and the programstorage-destination information to the server device specified from theacquired program storage-destination information. Further, the broadcastreception device has an output unit that outputs sound information andimage information on the broadcast program transmitted from the serverdevice.

Effects of the Invention

The effects obtained by typical embodiments of the invention disclosedin the present application will be briefly described below.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a broadcastreception device capable of a recording process and a playback processthat are more useful can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a system configuration of a communication systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a broadcast reception device according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of a software configuration of the broadcastreception device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 2C is a conceptual diagram for describing a data format of ascheduled information table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 2D is a conceptual diagram for describing a data format of arecording-program information table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a broadcasting station server according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a service provider server according to theembodiment;

FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram for describing a data format of acontent information table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an operational sequence diagram of the broadcast receptiondevice according to the embodiment at a time of a recording scheduleprocess;

FIG. 6 is a view of a screen display of an electronic program guidedisplay screen on the broadcast reception device according to theembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view of a screen display of a program-detailed-informationdisplay screen on the broadcast reception device according to theembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an operational sequence diagram of the broadcast receptiondevice according to the embodiment at a time of a scheduled recordingprocess;

FIG. 9 is an operational sequence diagram of the broadcast receptiondevice according to the embodiment at a time of a recording-programplayback process;

FIG. 10 is a view of a screen display of a recording-program listdisplay screen on the broadcast reception device according to theembodiment;

FIG. 11 is an operational sequence diagram of a broadcast receptiondevice according to an embodiment at times of a recording scheduleprocess and a scheduled recording process;

FIG. 12 is an operational sequence diagram of a broadcast receptiondevice according to an embodiment at a time of a recording-programplayback process;

FIG. 13 is an operational sequence diagram of a broadcast receptiondevice according to an embodiment at a time of a recording-programplayback process;

FIG. 14A is a diagram of a software configuration of a broadcastreception device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a conceptual diagram for describing a data format of anauthentication information table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15A is a block diagram of a service provider server according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 15B is a conceptual diagram for describing a data format of a userinformation table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an operational sequence diagram of the broadcast receptiondevice according to the embodiment at a time of a scheduled recordingprocess;

FIG. 17 is an operational sequence diagram of the broadcast receptiondevice according to the embodiment at a time of a recording-programplayback process;

FIG. 18 is an operational sequence diagram of a broadcast receptiondevice according to an embodiment at a time of a recording-programplayback process; and

FIG. 19 is a view of a screen display of a content-distributionconfirmation screen on the broadcast reception device according to theembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using thedrawings.

First Embodiment

First, an example of a digital broadcasting service, which can bereceived by a broadcast reception device according to the presentembodiment, will be described.

For example, a plurality of transport streams (TSs) are multiplexed, andcan be transmitted to one transponder (frequency channel), as an exampleof BS/terrestrial digital broadcasting that can be received by thebroadcast reception device according to the present embodiment. The TSincludes a sequence of TS packets, which have a predetermined length andeach of which is obtained by dividing such a data stream as animage/sound elementary stream (ES) or program specific information(PSI)/service information (SI) to add a TS header thereto.

Also, the PSI is a specific information table that is prescribed by astandard of a moving picture experts group (MPEG)-2 system and makes adistinction about which program each ES included in the TS belongs to.The PSI includes a program association table (PAT), a program map table(PMT), and a conditional access table (CAT), etc. The PAT prescribes aprogram list included in the TS by packet identifiers (PIDs) of the PMT.The PMT prescribes the PIDs of constituent elements in each program. TheCAT includes information on conditional reception.

Also, the SI includes program information, etc. by extending the PSI,and contains information on an electronic program guide (EPG) that theAssociation of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) prescribes by ARIBSTD-B10. The SI includes a broadcaster information table (BIT), aservice description table (SDT), an event information table (EIT), and atime offset table (TOT), etc. The BIT containsbroadcaster-identification information, affiliated information, andbroadcaster SI transmission information, etc. The SDT contains:information on a network ID for identifying a network; a TS ID foridentifying the TS; a service ID (a so-called channel number) foridentifying individual services (so-called channels) in the network, andthe like. The EIT contains: a service ID for identifying individualservices in the network; and such information on events as a name,broadcast date and time, and a broadcast content of each event (aso-called program). The TOT contains information on current date andtime.

Further, the TS contains: program clock reference (PCR) informationserving as a reference for playback timing in a decoder; a BML documentthat is subset based on a broadcast markup language (BML) specificationprescribed by ARIB STD-B24; and the like.

The broadcast reception device according to the present embodimentreceives and decodes the TS including the image/sound ES, various typesof information, and the like, so that a data broadcasting screen etc.produced with broadcast programs, the EPG, and the BML can be providedto a user.

Additionally, the broadcast reception device according to the presentembodiment is applicable to a broadcast-communication cooperation systemcombining a digital broadcasting service with: arithmetic processes in aserver device and in acquisition of an additional content through abroadband network by making the digital broadcasting service cooperatewith a function of using the broadband network; a presentation processby cooperation with a mobile terminal device; and the like. In order toachieve the broadcast-communication cooperation system, the broadcastreception device according to the present embodiment is capable ofperforming applications described in a hyper text markup language (HTML)etc. Further, the broadcast-communication cooperation system to whichthe broadcast reception device is applied uses: an extended BMLspecification; an application information table (AIT); and extendedPSI/SI information necessary for transmitting the application through abroadcast wave in the broadcast-communication cooperation system.Incidentally, the AIT is information for providing and being made towell-know: various types of information necessary for booting theapplication at a destination etc. from which the application isacquired; and control information for controlling boot/shutdown etc. ofthe application.

The descriptions that have been given above are based on a digitalbroadcasting service in Japan, but are not limited to application onlyin Japan including the broadcast-communication cooperation system towhich the broadcast reception device according to the present embodimentis applied.

Next, a concrete example for embodying the present embodiment will bedescribed.

System Configuration

FIG. 1 is a view of a system configuration showing an example of acommunication system including the broadcast reception device accordingto the present embodiment. The communication system according to thepresent embodiment is configured by: a broadcast reception device 100;an antenna 100A; a broadband network 200 such as the Internet; a routerdevice 200R; a radio wave tower 300T on a broadcasting station; abroadcasting station server 300; a service provider server 400; and adifferent application server 500.

The broadcast reception device 100 is a TV receiver having a functionapplicable to the broadcast-communication cooperation system in additionto an existing digital-broadcasting reception function. The broadcastreception device 100 receives a broadcast wave transmitted from theradio wave tower 300T through the antenna 100A. Also, the broadcastreception device 100 is capable of connecting with the Internet 200through the router device 200R, and can transmit and receive datathrough communication with each server device on the Internet 200. Therouter device 200R is coupled to the Internet 200 through wiredcommunication, and is coupled to the broadcast reception device 100through radio communication or wired communication.

The radio wave tower 300T transmits, from a broadcast facility of thebroadcasting station, the broadcast wave including: a digitalbroadcasting signal; an AIT; control information on applicationpresentation; and the like. Incidentally, the control information on theapplication presentation is information relating to: superimposition ofa broadcast program on the TV receiver and an application; and whetherthe application is presented. Also, the broadcasting station includesthe broadcasting station server 300. The broadcasting station server 300stores broadcast programs (program contents etc.) and metadata such as aprogram title, a program ID, a program outline, performers, andbroadcast date and time for each broadcast program, and can provide aservice provider with the program content etc. and each piece of themetadata based on a contract. Incidentally, the provision of the programcontent etc. and each piece of the metadata to the service provider maybe made through an application programming interface (API) included inthe broadcasting station server 300.

The service provider server 400 is a server device prepared in orderthat the service provider provides: a service due to thebroadcast-communication cooperation system; a service of contentdistribution; and the like. The service provider server 400 performsstorage, management, and distribution, etc. of: the program content etc.and the metadata provided from the broadcasting station server 300; andcontents and applications produced for the broadcast-communicationcooperation system. Also, it has functions of searching the applicationsavailable in response to an inquiry from the TV receiver, and ofproviding a list of them. Incidentally, the storage, the management, andthe distribution of the program contents and the metadata, and those ofthe applications may be performed by different server devices. Thebroadcasting station and the service provider may be identical to or maybe different from each other. A plurality of the service providerservers 400 may be prepared for each different service. Further, thebroadcasting station server 300 may serve as the function of the serviceprovider server 400.

The different application server 500 is a publicly-known server deviceperforming storage, management, and distribution, etc. of generalapplications, operation programs, contents, and data that are irrelevantto the broadcast-communication cooperation system. A plurality of thedifferent application servers 500 may exist on the Internet 200.

Hardware Configuration of Broadcast Reception Device

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of an inner configurationof the broadcast reception device 100. The broadcast reception device100 includes: a main control unit 101; a system bus 102; a ROM 103; aRAM 104; a storage unit 110; a LAN communication unit 121; an extendedinterface unit 124; a tuner/demodulator 131; a demultiplexer 132; animage decoder 133; a sound decoder 134; a subtitle decoder 135; adata-broadcasting reception processing unit 141; a data-broadcastingengine 142; an application control unit 143; an application engine 144;a content processing unit 151; an image superimposition unit 161; asound selector 162; an image display unit 163; and a speaker 164.

The main control unit 101 is a microprocessing unit that controls theentire broadcast reception device 100 in accordance with a predeterminedoperation program. The system bus 102 is a data channel for performingdata transmission and reception between the main control unit 101 andeach operation block in the broadcast reception device 100.

The read only memory (ROM) 103 is: a memory storing a basic operationprogram such as an operating system; and a different operation program,and uses a rewritable ROM such as an electrically erasable programmableROM (EEPROM) or a flash ROM. The random access memory (RAM) 104 becomesa work area in executing the basic operation program and the differentoperation program. The ROM 103 and the RAM 104 may be configuredintegrally with the main control unit 101. Further, instead of theindependent configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2A, a partial storagearea in the storage unit 110 may be used for the ROM 103.

The storage unit 110 stores: the operation programs of the broadcastreception device 100; operation parameters thereof; personal informationon a user of the broadcast reception device 100; and the like. Operationprograms downloaded from the network, various types of data producedwith the operation programs, and the like can be also stored. A contentsuch as a moving image, a still image, or a sound acquired from thebroadcast wave or downloaded from the network can be also stored. Apartial area of the storage unit 110 may be substituted for the entiretyor a part of the function of the ROM 103. Further, the storage unit 110is required to retain information, which has been stored, even in astate where no power source has been supplied to the broadcast receptiondevice 100 from outside. Therefore, used is a device, for example, sucha semiconductor element memory as a flash ROM or a solid state drive(SSD), or such a magnetic disk drive as a hard disc drive (HDD).

Incidentally, each of the operation programs stored in the ROM 103 andthe storage unit 110 can be updated and functionally extended by adownload process from each server device on the Internet 200.

The local area network (LAN) communication unit 121 is coupled to theInternet 200 through the router device 200R so as to transmit andreceive data to and from each server device on the Internet 200. Thecoupling with the router device 200R may be made through wiredcommunication, or radio communication such as Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark). The LAN communication unit 121 includes an encode circuitand a decode circuit, etc. Also, the broadcast reception device 100 mayfurther include a different communication unit such as a BlueTooth(registered trademark) communication unit, an NFC communication unit, oran infrared communication unit.

The tuner/demodulator 131 receives the broadcast wave from the radiowave tower 300T through the antenna 100A, and tunes in (selects) achannel of a service desired by the user based on the control of themain control unit 101. Furthermore, the tuner/demodulator 131demodulates the received broadcast signal so as to acquire the TS.Incidentally, the configuration including one tuner/demodulator isexemplified in FIG. 2A, but the broadcast reception device 100 may beconfigured so as to mount a plurality of the tuners/demodulators for thepurpose of a multiscreen simultaneous display, counter programrecording, or the like. Also, control of access restriction may beperformed with respect to the demodulated TS based on the control of themain control unit 101.

The TS outputted from the tuner/demodulator 131 is inputted to thedemultiplexer 132, and then the demultiplexer 132 demultiplexes theinputted TS into respective data streams such as an image data stream, asound data stream, a subtitle data stream, a program information datastream, an AIT data stream, and a BML data stream output them. Thosedata streams maybe, for example, in an ES format. The image decoder 133decodes the image data stream inputted from the demultiplexer 132 so asto output image information. The sound decoder 134 decodes the sounddata stream inputted from the demultiplexer 132 so as to output soundinformation. The subtitle decoder 135 decodes the subtitle data streaminputted from the demultiplexer 132 so as to output subtitleinformation.

The data-broadcasting reception processing unit 141 decodes the BML datastream inputted from the demultiplexer 132 so as to restore a BMLdocument. The data-broadcasting engine 142 is a BML browser thatexecutes the BML document, and executes the BML document restored by thedata-broadcasting reception processing unit 141 so as to output databroadcasting screen information. The application control unit 143actuates the application engine 144 about applications produced for thebroadcast-communication cooperation system to control and manage a lifecycle and an event for each application, based on the AIT data streaminputted from the demultiplexer 132 or an AIT file acquired from eachserver device on the Internet 200. Additionally, functional restrictionof the applications is appropriately controlled in accordance with thestate of the applications and instructions of the AIT. The applicationengine 144 is an HTML browser that acquires and performs theapplications produced for the broadcast-communication cooperation systembased on the control of the application control unit 143.

Based on the control of the main control unit 101, the contentprocessing unit 151 accesses an image content etc. stored in each serverdevice on the Internet 200 through the LAN communication unit 121 so asto acquire a program stream (PS) of the image content. The acquired PSmay be further supplied to the demultiplexer 132 so as to be subjectedto the same process as that of the TS outputted from thetuner/demodulator 131. The content processing unit 151 may performcontrol etc. of a digital rights management (DRM) process with respectto the acquired PS based on the control of the main control unit 101.Also, the content processing unit 151 includes a transcoding processingfunction. That is, it can perform a transcoding process to the PSacquired from each server device on the Internet 200 through the LANcommunication unit 121, and then supply the transcoded TS to thedemultiplexer 132. Alternatively, it can perform the transcoding processto the TS and an ES outputted from the demultiplexer 132, and store thetranscoded TS and ES in the storage unit 110.

The image superimposition unit 161 inputs: the image informationoutputted from the image decoder 133; the subtitle information outputtedfrom the subtitle decoder 135; the data broadcasting screen informationoutputted from the data-broadcasting engine 142; and applicationexecution screen information outputted from the application engine 144,and then performs a selection process and/or a superimposition process,etc. The image superimposition unit 161 includes a video RAM notillustrated, and drives the image display unit 163, etc. based on theimage information inputted to the video RAM. Also, as the need arisesbased on the control of the main control unit 101, the imagesuperimposition unit 161 performs: a scaling process; a superimpositionprocess of EPG screen information produced by interpreting the programinformation data stream outputted from the demultiplexer 132; and thelike. The sound selector 162 inputs the sound information outputted fromthe sound decoder 134, and application execution sound informationoutputted from the application engine 144, and then appropriatelyperforms a selection process based on the control of the main controlunit 101. The image display unit 163 is a display device such as aliquid crystal panel, and provides the user of the broadcast receptiondevice 100 with the image information to which the image superimpositionunit 161 has performed the selection process and/or the superimpositionprocess. The speaker 164 provides the user of the broadcast receptiondevice 100 with the sound information outputted from the sound selector162.

The extended interface unit 124 is an interface group for extending thefunction of the broadcast reception device 100, and includes animage/sound interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and amemory interface, etc. in the present embodiment. The image/soundinterface performs: an input of image data/sound data from an externalimage/sound output device; an output of image data/sound data to anexternal image/sound input device; and the like. The USB interface iscoupled to a PC etc. so as to transmit and receive various types ofdata. An HDD may be coupled so as to record broadcast programs orvarious types of content instead of the storage unit 110. Further, akeyboard or a different USB device may be coupled. The memory interfacecouples a memory card or a different memory medium so as to transmit andreceive data.

The broadcast reception device 100 may be: an optical disc driverecorder such as a digital versatile disc (DVD); a magnetic disk driverecorder such as a HDD recorder; a set top box (STB); and the likebesides the TV receiver. It may be a personal computer (PC), a tabletterminal, a video game console, or the like having adigital-broadcasting reception function and a broadcast-communicationcooperation function. Incidentally, the broadcast-communicationcooperation function may be unnecessary. When the broadcast receptiondevice 100 is the DVD recorder, the HDD recorder, the STB, or the like,an image output unit and a sound output unit may be provided instead ofthe image display unit 163 and the speaker 164. By connecting anexternal monitor and an external speaker to the image output unit andthe sound output unit, the same operation as that of the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment can be made.

Software Configuration of Broadcast Reception Device

FIG. 2B is a diagram of a software configuration of the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment, andillustrates software configurations of the ROM 103, the RAM 104, and thestorage unit 110. According to the present embodiment, the ROM 103stores the basic operation program 1001 and the different operationprogram. The storage unit 110 stores a reception-function program 1002,a schedule-management program 1003, a program-recording program 1004,and a different operation program. Also, the storage unit 110 includes:a scheduled-information storage area 1200 that stores information etc.on a recording schedule and a viewing schedule of a broadcast program; arecording-content storage area 1300 that stores information etc. on analready recorded program; and a various-types-of-information storagearea that stores different various types of information.

The basic operation program 1001 stored in the ROM 103 is expanded intothe RAM 104, and furthermore the main control unit 101 executes theexpanded basic operation program to configure a basic operationexecution unit 1101. Also, the reception-function program 1002, theschedule-management program 1003, and the program-recording program 1004stored in the storage unit 110 are each expanded into the RAM 104, andfurthermore the main control unit 101 executes the respective expandedoperation programs to configure a reception function execution unit1102, a schedule management execution unit 1103, and a program recordingexecution unit 1104. Additionally, the RAM 104 includes a temporarystorage area that retains, temporarily as the need arises, data producedin executing the respective operation programs.

Incidentally, in order to simplify explanation below, the main controlunit 101 expands, into the RAM 104, the basic operation program 1001stored in the ROM 103 and executes it, and thereby a process ofcontrolling each operation block is described so that the basicoperation execution unit 1101 controls the respective operation blocks.The different operation program is also similarly described.

The reception function execution unit 1102 controls the respectiveoperation blocks of the broadcast reception device 100 in order toachieve the digital-broadcasting reception function and thebroadcast-communication cooperation function, etc. Particularly, abroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a mainly controls thetuner/demodulator 131, the demultiplexer 132, the image decoder 133, thesound decoder 134, the subtitle decoder 135, the data-broadcastingreception processing unit 141, and the data-broadcasting engine 142. Abroadcast-communication cooperation unit 1102 b mainly controls theapplication control unit 143 and the application engine 144. Aterminal-cooperation management unit 1102 c controls cooperation with aportable information terminal during a broadcast-communicationcooperation process.

The schedule management execution unit 1103 manages the information etc.on the recording schedule and the viewing schedule of the broadcastprogram using a scheduled information table stored in thescheduled-information storage area 1200. The program recording executionunit 1104 controls an operation of scheduled recording based on thescheduled information table stored in the scheduled-information storagearea 1200, and an operation of manual recording with thecurrently-viewing broadcast program. Also, the information etc. on thealready recorded program is managed using a recording-programinformation table stored in the recording-content storage area 1300.

The ROM 103 and/or the storage unit 110 may previously store therespective operation programs when a product is shipped. After theproduct is shipped, the respective operation programs may be acquiredfrom the different application server 500 etc. on the Internet 200through the LAN communication unit 121. Further, the respectiveoperation programs stored in a memory card, an optical disc, or the likemay be acquired through the extended interface unit 124.

FIG. 2C is a conceptual diagram for describing an example of a dataformat of the scheduled information table stored in thescheduled-information storage area 1200. The scheduled information tableincludes information such as a reference number 1201, broadcast-dateinformation 1202, broadcast-time information 1203, broadcast-channelinformation 1204, broadcast-program-title information 1205, a repetitionflag 1206, a recording/viewing mode 1207, and recording-destinationinformation 1208. Different information may be further included.

The reference number 1201 is used for managing respective pieces ofscheduled information stored in the scheduled information table. Thebroadcast-date information 1202, the broadcast-time information 1203,the broadcast-channel information 1204, and the broadcast-program-titleinformation 1205 are information relating to the date and time, thechannel and the program title of the scheduled-targeted broadcastprogram. The repetition flag 1206 is a flag indicating whether arecording process or a viewing process of the scheduled-targetedbroadcast program is repeated every week or every day. Therecording/viewing mode 1207 is mode setting information on whether aprocess performed based on each piece of scheduled information is ascheduled recording process or a scheduled viewing process and on what arecording mode is used for performing the scheduled recording processwhen the scheduled recording process is performed. Therecording-destination information 1208 is information on what storage(e.g., the storage unit 110 or a USB HDD coupled to an extended I/F) isused to record information on the recorded-targeted broadcast programwhen the scheduled recording process is performed.

FIG. 2D is a conceptual diagram for describing an example of a dataformat of the recording-program information table stored in therecording-content storage area 1300. The recording-program informationtable includes a reference number 1301, recording-date information 1302,recording-time information 1303, recording-channel information 1304,recording-program-title information 1305, a recording mode 1306,recording-program identification information 1307,recording-program-content storage-destination information 1308, andresume information 1309. Different information may be further included.

The reference number 1301 is used for managing the respective pieces ofrecording-program information stored in the recording-programinformation table. The recording-date information 1302 and therecording-time information 1303 are information relating to the date andtime when a recording process of the already recorded program isperformed, according to the present embodiment. The recording-channelinformation 1304 and the recording-program-title information 1305 isinformation relating to a broadcast channel and a program title of thealready recorded program. The recording mode 1306 is mode settinginformation indicating what a recording mode has been used forperforming the recording process for each already recorded program. Therecording-program identification information 1307 is a uniqueidentification number for identifying a content of the already recordedprogram by a content server on the network. Therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 isinformation indicating a storage destination of the content of thealready recorded program. The recording-program-contentstorage-destination information 1308 may be such identificationinformation as an Internet protocol (IP) address for identifying, on thenetwork, the content server storing the content of the already recordedprogram. Directory information and a file name maybe added in order toprescribe a location at which the content of the already recordedprogram has been stored in the content server. When the content of thealready recorded program is stored in a storage of the broadcastreception device 100, identification information that can identify thestorage may be contained. The resume information 1309 is informationrelating to a stopping position where a playback process of the contentof the already recorded program is temporarily stopped.

Configuration of Broadcasting Station Server

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an internalconfiguration of the broadcasting station server 300. The broadcastingstation server 300 includes a main control unit 301, a system bus 302, aRAM 304, a storage unit 310, a LAN communication unit 321, and adigital-broadcasting-signal transmission unit 360.

The main control unit 301 is a microprocessing unit that controls theentire broadcasting station server 300 in accordance with apredetermined operation program. The system bus 302 is a data channelfor performing data transmission and reception between the main controlunit 301 and each operation block in the broadcasting station server300. The RAM 304 becomes a work area in performing each operationprogram.

The storage unit 310 stores a basic operation program 3001, abroadcast-content management/distribution program 3002, and abroadcast-content transmission program 3003, and further includes abroadcast-content storage area 3200 and a metadata storage area 3300.The broadcast-content storage area 3200 stores a program content etc. ofeach broadcast program broadcasted by the broadcasting station. Themetadata storage area 3300 stores metadata such as a program title, aprogram ID, a program outline, performers, and broadcast date and timefor each of the broadcast programs.

Also, the basic operation program 3001, the broadcast-contentmanagement/distribution program 3002, and thebroadcast-content-transmission program 3003 stored in the storage unit310 are each expanded into the RAM 304, and furthermore the main controlunit 301 executes the respective expanded programs, so that a basicoperation execution unit 3101, a broadcast-contentmanagement/distribution execution unit 3102, and a broadcast-contenttransmission execution unit 3103 are configured.

Incidentally, in order to simplify explanation below, the main controlunit 301 expands, into the RAM 304, the basic operation program 3001stored in the storage unit 310 and executes it, and thereby a processfor controlling each operation block is described so that the basicoperation execution unit 3101 controls the respective operation blocks.The different operation programs are also similarly described.

The broadcast-content management/distribution execution unit 3102performs management of the program content etc. and respective pieces ofthe metadata for each of the broadcast programs stored in thebroadcast-content storage area 3200 and the metadata storage area 3300,and also performs control in providing the service provider with theprogram content etc. and the respective pieces of the metadata for eachof the broadcast programs based on the contract. Furthermore, thebroadcast-content management/distribution execution unit 3102 mayperforms an authentication process etc. of the service provider server400, based on the contract as the need arises, when the program contentetc. and the respective pieces of the metadata for each of the broadcastprograms are provided to the service provider.

The broadcast-content transmission execution unit 3103 performs timeschedule management in transmitting the program content of each of thebroadcast programs stored in the broadcast-content storage area 3200from the radio wave tower 300T through the digital-broadcasting-signaltransmission unit 360.

The LAN communication unit 321 is coupled to the Internet 200, andcommunicates with the service provider server 400 etc. on the Internet200. The LAN communication unit 321 includes an encode circuit and adecode circuit, etc. The digital-broadcasting-signal transmission unit360: modulates the TS configured by the image data stream, the sounddata stream, the program information data stream, and the AIT datastream, etc. that relate to the program contents etc. for each of thebroadcast programs stored in the broadcast-content storage area 3200;and transmits the TS as a digital broadcast wave through the radio wavetower 300T.

Configuration of Service Provider Server

FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing an example of an internalconfiguration of the service provider server 400. The service providerserver 400 includes a main control unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM404, a storage unit 410, and a LAN communication unit 421.

The main control unit 401 is a microprocessing unit that controls theentire service provider server 400 in accordance with a predeterminedoperation program. The system bus 402 is a data channel for performingdata transmission and reception between the main control unit 401 andeach operation block in the service provider server 400. The RAM 404becomes a work area in executing each operation program.

The storage unit 410 stores a basic operation program 4001, animage-content management/distribution program 4002, and an applicationmanagement/distribution program 4004, and furthermore includes ametadata storage area 4200, an image-content storage area 4300, and anapplication storage area 4400. The metadata storage area 4200 stores:each piece of metadata provided from the broadcasting station server300; metadata relating to an image content produced by the serviceprovider; and the like. The image-content storage area 4300 stores, asthe image content, the program content of the broadcast program providedfrom the broadcasting station server 300. The image content etc.produced by the service provider is also stored. The application storagearea 4400 stores applications that are distributed in response to arequest from each TV receiver, and is necessary for achieving eachservice of the broadcast-communication cooperation system.

Further, the basic operation program 4001, the image-contentmanagement/distribution program 4002, and the applicationmanagement/distribution program 4004 each stored in the storage unit 410are expanded into the RAM 404, and furthermore the main control unit 401executes the expanded basic operation program, the expandedimage-content management/distribution program, and the expandedapplication management/distribution program, so that a basic operationexecution unit 4101, an image-content management/distribution executionunit 4102, and an application management/distribution execution unit4104 are configured.

Incidentally, in order to simplify explanation below, the main controlunit 401 expands, into the RAM 404, the basic operation program 4001stored in the storage unit 410 and executes it, and thereby a processfor controlling each operation block is described so that the basicoperation execution unit 4101 controls the respective operation blocks.The different operation program is also similarly described.

The image-content management/distribution execution unit 4102 controls:acquisition of the program content etc. and the metadata of thebroadcast program from the broadcasting station server 300; managementof the image content etc. and the metadata stored in the image-contentstorage area 4300 and the metadata storage area 4200; and distributionof the image content etc. and the metadata to each TV receiver. Also,the application management/distribution execution unit 4104 performs:management of the respective applications stored in the applicationstorage area 4400; and control in distributing the respectiveapplications in response to requests from the respective TV receivers.Furthermore, the application management/distribution execution unit 4104may perform, as the need arises, an authentication process etc. to therespective TV receivers in distributing the respective applications tothe respective TV receivers.

The LAN communication unit 421 is coupled to the Internet 200, andcommunicates with the broadcasting station server 300 on the Internet200 and with the broadcast reception device 100 through the routerdevice 200R. The LAN communication unit 421 includes an encode circuitand a decode circuit.

FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram for describing an example of a dataformat of a content information table stored in the metadata storagearea 4200. The content information table includes information such asprogram identification information 4201, content storage locationinformation 4202, a content name 4203, content title information 4204,content category information 4205, content broadcast-date information4206, content broadcast-time information 4207, and content outlineinformation 4208, etc. Different information may be further included.

The program identification information 4201 is a unique identificationnumber for identifying each image content in the service provider server400. The content storage location information 4202 is directoryinformation for prescribing storage locations of the respective imagecontents in the image-content storage area 4300. When the contentstorage location information 4202 indicates “NULL”, this means a statewhere the corresponding image content has not been stored in theimage-content storage area 4300 or a state where the corresponding imagecontent is not a distributed object even when being stored in theimage-content storage area 4300. The content name 4203 is a file name ofeach image content. The content title information 4204, the contentcategory information 4205, the content broadcast-date information 4206,the content broadcast-time information 4207, and the content outlineinformation 4208 are information relating to a title, a category,broadcast date and time, and a program outline of each image content.

An operation of the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment will be described below.

Operational Sequence in Recording Schedule

First, a description will be made of an operation of a recordingschedule process of a broadcast program using an EPG in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is anoperational sequence diagram for describing an example of the operationof the recording schedule process in the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment.

When the broadcast reception device 100 according to the presentembodiment performs the recording schedule process, the user firstoperates a remote controller not illustrated so as to issue aninstruction for turning power on to the broadcast reception device 100(S501). The broadcast reception device 100, which has received theinstruction for turning the power on from the remote controller,controls the basic operation execution unit 1101, and thereby performs aboot process and an initialization process (S502). Incidentally, theprocesses at S501 and S502 are unnecessary in a case where the broadcastreception device 100 has already booted. When the boot process and theinitialization process are completed, the broadcast-program playbackunit 1102 a in the reception function execution unit 1102 then receivesa digital broadcast wave so as to perform a process of tuning in(selecting) a predetermined channel, a process of demodulating amodulated signal, and the like by the tuner/demodulator 131 (S503).Furthermore, the broad reception device performs: a demultiplexingprocess to the respective data streams in the demultiplexer 132; decodeprocesses to the image data stream and the sound data stream in theimage decoder 133 and the sound decoder 134; and the like, and outputsan image signal and a sound signal of the broadcast program through theimage superimposition unit 161 and the sound selector 162 from the imagedisplay unit 163 and the speaker 164 (S504).

Also, the broadcast-program playback unit 1102 a acquires the programinformation data stream demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 132 (S505).When the user operates the remote controller so as to issue aninstruction for displaying the EPG (S506), the broadcast-programplayback unit 1102 a interprets the acquired program information datastream to creates EPG information, and further displays an EPG displayscreen on the image display unit 163 (S507).

FIG. 6 is a view of a screen display for describing an example of theEPG display screen displayed by the process at S507. The EPG displayscreen 163 a is a broadcast schedule of broadcast programs in thedigital broadcasting service, and displays, in the present embodiment,program information 163 a 1 on each broadcast program broadcasted byrespective channels in each time period, and the display is in a matrixformat indicating a time display as a vertical axis and a service ID(channel) display as a horizontal axis. An operation guide 163 a 2 isdisplayed at a lower portion of the EPG display screen 163 a. Byoperating a cursor key of the remote controller not illustrated, aprogram selection cursor 163 a 3 can be moved. Furthermore, by pressingdown an OK key of the remote controller, the detailed information on thebroadcast program selected by the program selection cursor 163 a 3 canbe displayed.

When the user operates the cursor key and the OK key of the remotecontroller so as to select the predetermined broadcast program on theEPG display screen 163 a displayed by the process at S507 in FIG. 5(S508), the schedule management execution unit 1103 displays aprogram-detailed-information display screen relating to the selectedpredetermined broadcast program on the image display unit 163 based onthe control of the reception function execution unit 1102 (S509). FIG. 7is a view of a screen display for describing an example of theprogram-detailed-information display screen displayed by the process atS509. The program-detailed-information display screen 163 b includes: aprogram-information display area 163 b 1 that displays information on aprogram title, a program outline, and performers of the selectedpredetermined broadcast program; a sub-window area 163 b 2 that displaysan image of a currently-viewing broadcast program; a schedule settingkey 163 b 3 capable of making various settings relating to the recordingschedule process and the viewing schedule process; and operationselection keys 163 b 4 capable of selecting which of the recordingschedule process, the viewing schedule process, or the like is performedto the selected predetermined broadcast program.

When a “recording destination” key of the schedule setting key 163 b 3is selected by operating the cursor keys and the OK key of the remotecontroller not illustrated, a storage that stores information on therecorded-targeted broadcast program can be selected. When a “saveprogram” key is selected, setting of whether the content of therecorded-targeted broadcast program is saved into the storage in thebroadcast reception device 100 can be made. When a “recording mode” keyis selected, setting of which type of recording mode is used to recordthe recorded-targeted broadcast program can be made. When an “everyweek/every day” key is selected, setting of whether the scheduledrecording process or the scheduled viewing process of the targetedbroadcast program is repeated every week, every day, or the like can bemade. Also, when any of the operation selection keys 163 b 4 is selectedby operating the cursor key and the OK key of the remote controller, theschedule of the recording process or the viewing process can beperformed to the selected predetermined broadcast program.

When the user operates the cursor key and the OK key of the remotecontroller so as to select the “recording schedule” key of the operationselection keys 163 b 4 on the program-detailed-information displayscreen 163 b displayed by the process at S509 in FIG. 5 (S510), theschedule management execution unit 1103 stores information etc. on asetting content of each item, which is set through theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b, into thescheduled-information table in the scheduled-information storage area1200 (S511). Specifically, for example, setting informationcorresponding to the setting content of each of the “recordingdestination” key and the “save program” key in the schedule setting key163 b 3 is stored into the recording-destination information 1208 of thescheduled information table. The recording/viewing mode 1207 stores thecontent set by the “recording mode” key. The repetition flag 1206 storesthe content set by the “every week/every day” key.

When the process at S511 is completed, the display of theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b is completed so thatthe broadcast-program playback unit 1102 a displays the image of thecurrently-viewing broadcast program on the image display unit 163(S512). The recording schedule process in the broadcast reception device100 is completed through the above operation.

Operational Sequence in Scheduled Recording

Next, a description will be made of an operation of the scheduledrecording process based on the scheduled information table stored in thescheduled-information storage area 1200 in the broadcast receptiondevice 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an operationalsequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation of thescheduled recording process in the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment.

When the broadcast reception device 100 is in operation or on standby,the program recording execution unit 1104 appropriately confirms timeinformation of a built-in clock not illustrated, and the scheduledinformation table in scheduled-information storage area 1200 based onthe control of the basic operation execution unit 1101 (S801). When thebroadcast program that is a scheduled-recorded target and is stored inthe scheduled information table approaches at its broadcast startingdate and time, the basic operation execution unit 1101 performs the bootprocess and the initialization process in the broadcast reception device100 (S802). Incidentally, the process at S802 is unnecessary in a casewhere the broadcast reception device 100 has already been in operation.When the boot process and the initialization process are completed, thebroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a in the reception functionexecution unit 1102 next receives the digital broadcast wave (S803), andfurthermore the tuner/demodulator 131 performs: a tuning-in (selecting)process to a channel of the broadcast program as a scheduled-recordedtarget; a demodulating process of a modulated signal, and the like(S804). Incidentally, the process at S804 may be performed byappropriately selecting an available tuner in cases where the broadcastreception device 100 has already been in operation and where anarbitrary broadcast program that is not a scheduled-recorded target hasbeen being selected. Further, the image of the broadcast program as ascheduled-recorded target is not necessarily displayed on the imagedisplay unit 163.

When the tuning-in process to the channel of the broadcast program as ascheduled-recorded target is completed, the program recording executionunit 1104 acquires program related information containing programidentification information and program-content storage-destinationinformation on the broadcast program that is a scheduled-recorded targetand that is superimposed on the digital broadcast wave based on thecontrol of the reception function execution unit 1102 (S806).Incidentally, the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information may be included in thePSI or the SI. They may be included in the AIT used in thebroadcast-communication cooperation function. They may be included inthe BML data stream used in data broadcasting. They may be included inthe digital broadcast wave together with a program content of abroadcast program signal so as to be transmitted by a different method.Alternatively, they may be acquired by accessing a predetermined serverdevice specified by the AIT in the broadcast-communication cooperationfunction.

By the control of the program recording execution unit 1104, the programrelated information containing the program identification informationand the program-content storage-destination information on the broadcastprogram that is the scheduled-recorded target and that is acquired bythe process at S806 is stored into the recording-program informationtable in the recording-content storage area 1300 together with theinformation described in the scheduled-program information table in thescheduled-information storage area 1200 referenced by the process atS801 (S807). Concretely, for example, the recording-programidentification information 1307 in the recording-program informationtable stores the acquired program identification information. Therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 storesthe acquired program-content storage-destination information. Also, thebroadcast-date information 1202, the broadcast-time information 1203,the broadcast-channel information 1204, the broadcast-program-titleinformation 1205, and the recording/viewing mode 1207 of the scheduledinformation table in the scheduled-information storage area 1200 arestored into the recording-date information 1302, the recording-timeinformation 1303, the recording-channel information 1304, therecording-program-title information 1305, and the recording mode 1306 ofthe recording-program information table.

When the process at S807 is completed, the schedule management executionunit 1103 deletes the scheduled information stored in the scheduledinformation table in the scheduled-information storage area 1200 (S808).The scheduled recording process in the broadcast reception device 100 iscompleted by the above operation.

Incidentally, the above series of processes is an example of the processfor a case where the “save program” key is set to select “OFF” in theschedule setting key 163 b 3 on the program-detailed-information displayscreen 163 b, namely, is an example of a case where the program contentabout the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target is not storedin the storage of the broadcast reception device 100. When the “saveprogram” key is set to select “ON”, the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment in the process at S807 may directlystore the program content (TS or ES) outputted from the demultiplexer132 as it is, or may store the above program content into a storage(e.g., the recording-content storage area 1300 of the storage unit 110,or an HDD coupled to the extended I/F unit 124) designated by the“recording destination” key in the schedule setting key 163 b 3 afterthe content processing unit 151 performs a transcoding process to theprogram content depending on the setting content of the “recording mode”key in the schedule setting key 163 b 3.

Additionally, as described above, the selection of whether the programcontent of the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target is notstored in the storage of the broadcast reception device 100 may bechanged depending on the setting of the “save program” key in theschedule setting key 163 b 3 on the program-detailed-information displayscreen 163 b. Alternatively, the selection may be automatically changeddepending on whether the program related information containing theprogram identification information and the program-contentstorage-destination information on the broadcast program as ascheduled-recorded target has been superimposed on the digital broadcastwave. That is, for example, the program content of the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target is made not to be stored in the storageof the broadcast reception device 100 in the case where the programrelated information containing the program identification informationand the program-content storage-destination information on the broadcastprogram as a scheduled-recorded target has been superimposed on thedigital broadcast wave. The program content of the broadcast program asa scheduled-recorded target is made to be stored in the storage of thebroadcast reception device 100 in the case where the program relatedinformation containing the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information on the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target has not been superimposed on the digitalbroadcast wave.

Also, in this case, whether the program related information containingthe program identification information and the program-contentstorage-destination information on each broadcast program has beensuperimposed on the digital broadcast wave may be at least visuallyconfirmed in the program information 163 a 1 on the EPG display screen163 a. For example, the program information 163 a 1 on the broadcastprogram, in which the program related information containing the programidentification information and the program-content storage-destinationinformation has been superimposed on the digital broadcast wave, usesaddition of a letter, a symbol, or an illustration, a distinctionbetween background colors, or the like to clarify the superimposition.

Additionally, at S803, the broadcast-program playback unit 1102 a mayreceive the broadcast wave only during a predetermined period (e.g., forone minute after a program starts). Moreover, when the programidentification information 1307 and the program storage-destinationinformation 1308 on the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded targetare transmitted every predetermined interval (e.g., 15 seconds), thebroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a may receive the digitalbroadcasting only at the interval (e.g., 15 seconds) at S803.Accordingly, the tuner can be promptly available.

Furthermore, in a case where scheduled information on a plurality ofbroadcast programs each overlapping at the broadcast time 1203 has beenstored in the scheduled information table, the broadcast-programplayback unit 1102 a may circuitously receive the broadcast wave of eachof the broadcast programs at S803.

Also, when a manual operation performs a recording process in viewingthe broadcast program instead of the scheduled recording process basedon the scheduled information table stored in the scheduled-informationstorage area 1200, the above processes at S801 and S808 are unnecessary.In viewing the broadcast program selected by the process at S804, theuser operates the remote controller not illustrated to issue aninstruction for manual recording (S805), and thereby the below processesat S806 and S807 may be performed.

Operational Sequence in Recording-Program Playback

Next, a description will be made of an operation of a playback processof the already recorded program based on the recording-programinformation table stored in the recording-content storage area 1300 inthe broadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodiment.FIG. 9 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of the recording-program playback process in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment.

When the broadcast reception device 100 according to the presentembodiment performs the recording-program playback process, the userfirst operates the remote controller not illustrated so as to issue aninstruction for turning power on to the broadcast reception device 100(S901). The broadcast reception device 100 that has received, from theremote controller, the instruction for turning the power on controls thebasic operation execution unit 1101 so as to perform the boot processand the initialization process (S902). Incidentally, the processes atS901 and S902 are unnecessary in a case where the broadcast receptiondevice 100 has already booted. After the boot process and theinitialization process, when the user operates the remote controller soas to issue an instruction for displaying a recording-program list(S903), the reception function execution unit 1102 displays arecording-program list display screen on the image display unit 163(S904).

FIG. 10 is a view of a screen display for describing an example of therecording-program list display screen displayed by the process at S904.The recording-program list display screen 163 c displays: a list ofrecording program information 163 c 1 on each recording program storedin the recording-program information table in the recording-contentstorage area 1300; and an operation guide 163 c 6. The recording programinformation 163 c 1 mainly includes thumbnail portions 163 c 2 andprogram outline portions 163 c 3 that display information such asrecording program titles, recording date and time, recording channels,recording modes, and recording duration. Furthermore, the recordingprogram information 163 c 1 appropriately includes unviewing marks 163 c4 each indicating whether each recording program has not been viewedyet, and a cloud mark 163 c 5 indicating whether the program content ofeach recording program has been stored in the storage of the broadcastreception device 100. Incidentally, the cloud mark 163 c 5 is displayedin a case where the program content of each recording program has notbeen stored in the storage of the broadcast reception device 100,namely, is displayed in a case where the scheduled recording process isperformed with the “save program” key set to select “OFF” in theschedule setting key 163 b 3 on the program-detailed-information displayscreen 163 b.

By operating the cursor key of the remote controller not illustrated, aprogram selection cursor 163 c 7 can be moved. Furthermore, by pressingdown the OK key of the remote controller, the playback process can startto a recording program selected by the program selection cursor 163 c 7.

When the user operates the cursor key and the OK key of the remotecontroller so as to select a predetermined recording program on therecording-program list display screen 163 c displayed by the process atS904 in FIG. 9 (S905), the reception function execution unit 1102 readsthe recording-program identification information 1307, therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308, and therecording mode 1306 of the predetermined recording program from therecording-program information table stored in the recording-contentstorage area 1300 (S906).

The reception function execution unit 1102 interprets therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 read bythe process at S906, and extracts information (e.g., IP accessinformation) for identifying, on the network, the content server (theservice provider server 400 in the present embodiment) that has storedthe image content of the predetermined recording program. Furthermore,the reception function execution unit 1102 transmits therecording-program identification information 1307, therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308, and therecording mode 1306 of the predetermined recording program, to theservice provider server 400 identified by the extracted IP addressinformation through the LAN communication unit 121, and requeststherefrom transmission of the image content of the predeterminedrecording program (S907). Incidentally, when therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 includesonly the IP address information, the transmission of therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 is notrequired in the process at S907.

The basic operation execution unit 4101 of the service provider server400 transmits, to the image-content management/distribution executionunit 4102, the recording-program identification information 1307, therecording-content storage-destination information 1308, and therecording mode 1306 that are related to the predetermined recordingprogram and received through the LAN communication unit 421. Theimage-content management/distribution execution unit 4102 refers to thecontent information table stored in the metadata storage area 4200 basedon the received recording-program identification information 1307.Furthermore, by acquiring the content storage location information 4202and the content name 4203 corresponding to the program identificationinformation 4201 agreeing with the received recording-programidentification information 1307, the image content of the predeterminedrecording program is selected (S908). Instead of the acquisition of thecontent storage location information 4202 and the content name 4203, thedirectory information and the file name acquired by interpreting thereceived recording-content storage-destination information 1308 may beused.

Next, the image-content management/distribution execution unit 4102refers to the image-content storage area 4300 based on the contentstorage location information 4202 and the content name 4203 acquired bythe process at S908, and reads the image content of the predeterminedrecording program. Furthermore, the image-contentmanagement/distribution execution unit 4102 performs, to the read imagecontent, the transcoding process corresponding to the received recordingmode 1306 (S909), and then transmits the image content to the broadcastreception device 100 through the LAN communication unit 421 (S910).Incidentally, instead of the transcoding process at S909, image contentseach having a different bit rate are previously prepared in theimage-content storage area 4300, and thereby the image content having apredetermined bit rate maybe selected depending on the receivedrecording mode 1306. When a communication band has sufficient capacitybetween the service provider server 400 and the broadcast receptiondevice 100, the transcoding process at S909 is not necessarilyperformed. The selection of whether the transcoding process is performedmay be changed depending on a network status between the serviceprovider server 400 and the broadcast reception device 100.

The broadcast reception device 100 that has received the image contentof the predetermined recording program transmitted from the serviceprovider server 400 transmits, to the demultiplexer 132, the imagecontent received through the LAN communication unit 121 based on thecontrol of the reception function execution unit 1102. Furthermore,based on the control of the broadcast-program playback unit 1102 a, thedevice 100 performs: a demultiplexing process of each data stream in thedemultiplexer 132; decode processes of the image data stream and thesound data stream in the image decoder 133 and the sound decoder 134;and the like, and outputs the image signal and the sound signal of thebroadcast program through the image superimposition unit 161 and thesound selector 162 from the image display unit 163 and the speaker 164(S911). The recording-program playback process in the broadcastreception device 100 is achieved by the above operation.

As the operation of the recording schedule process, the operation of thescheduled recording process, and the operation of the recording-programplayback process have been described above, when the broadcast programis recorded, the broadcast reception device 100 according to the presentembodiment is not required to individually store the program content ofthe broadcast program into the storage of the broadcast reception device100, and operates to acquire, every playback, the content of thereceived broadcast program from the content server on the network.Incidentally, differently from a publicly-known video on demand (VOD)system that automatically accesses the content server to search andselect a desired content, in the broadcast reception device 100according to present embodiment, the user does not require payingattention to presence of the content server, and can achieve the sameusability as that of a previous video tape recorder (VTR) for therecording process and the playback process of the broadcast program.Furthermore, in the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment, the recording-program information table that managesthe information on the recording programs does not require having alarge storage area, so that a large number of recording programs can bemanaged and stored. Alternatively, a storage having small capacity canmanage the recording programs. That is, the broadcast reception devicecapable of the more useful recording process and playback process can beprovided.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment according to the present invention will be describedbelow. Incidentally, unless otherwise noted, a configuration and aneffect, etc. according to the present embodiment are the same as thoseaccording to the first embodiment. Accordingly, differences between thepresent embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly describedbelow, and descriptions of points in common will be omitted in order toavoid duplication as much as possible.

In a digital broadcasting service according to the present embodiment, aprogram information data stream includes program related informationcontaining program identification information and program-contentstorage-destination information on a broadcast program as ascheduled-recorded target. In this case, the scheduled recording processof the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target can be performedat a time of acquiring the program information data stream from thedigital broadcast wave in a case where the “save program” key has beenset to select “OFF” in the schedule setting key 163 b 3 on theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b illustrated in FIG. 7, namely, in a case where each program content of the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target is not individually stored in the storageof the broadcast reception device 100.

Operational Sequence in Recording Schedule and Scheduled Recording

FIG. 11 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofa series of operations of the recording schedule process and thescheduled recording process in the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment.

Processes at S1101 to S1109 in the figure operate similarly to theprocesses at S501 to S509 in the operational sequence diagramillustrated in FIG. 5 , and thus descriptions of thereof will beomitted. Incidentally, as described above, the program information datastream acquired by the process at S1105 includes the program relatedinformation containing the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information on each broadcastprogram in the digital broadcasting service. When a user operates acursor key and an OK key of a remote controller not illustrated so as toselect a “recording schedule” key of an operation selection key 163 b 4on the program-detailed-information display screen 163 b displayed by aprocess at S1109 (S1110), a program recording execution unit 1104acquires, from the program information data stream, the program relatedinformation containing the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information on the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target based on the control of a receptionfunction execution unit 1102 (S1111).

Furthermore, by the control of the program recording execution unit1104, the program related information containing the programidentification information and the program-content storage-destinationinformation on the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded targetacquired by the process at S1111 is stored into a recording-programinformation table in a recording-content storage area 1300 together withinformation on a setting content of each item set on theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b (S1112). Specifically,for example, recording-program identification information 1307 in therecording-program information table stores the acquired programidentification information. Recording-program-contentstorage-destination information 1308 stores the acquired program-contentstorage-destination information. Also, broadcast-date-and-timeinformation, broadcast-channel information, and program-titleinformation are stored into recording-date information 1302,recording-time information 1303, recording-channel information 1304, andrecording-program-title information 1305. A content set by a “recordingmode” key in the schedule setting key 163 b 3 on theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b is stored into arecording mode 1306.

When the process at S1112 is completed, the display of theprogram-detailed-information display screen 163 b is completed so that abroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a displays an image of acurrently-viewing broadcast program onto an image display unit 163(S1113). The series of processes including the recording scheduleprocess and the scheduled recording process in the broadcast receptiondevice 100 is completed by the above operation. The operation of therecording-program playback process in the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment is the same as that in theoperational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 9 , and thusdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

At a time of performing the broadcast program selection and therecording schedule process using an EPG, the broadcast reception device100 according to the present embodiment can simultaneously perform thescheduled recording process of the selected broadcast program, so thatthis is convenient to the user. Further, for the recording scheduleprocess of the selected broadcast program, a storage process is notrequired to be performed to a scheduled information table in ascheduled-information storage area 1200, so that the process issimplified. That is, the broadcast reception device capable of the moreuseful recording process and playback process can be provided.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment according to the present invention will be describedbelow. Incidentally, unless otherwise noted, a configuration and aneffect, etc. according to the present embodiment are the same as thoseaccording to the second embodiment. Accordingly, differences between thepresent embodiment and the second embodiment will be mainly describedbelow, and descriptions of points in common will be omitted in order toavoid duplication as much as possible.

At a time of performing the broadcast program selection and therecording schedule process using the EPG, the broadcast reception device100 described in the second embodiment can perform the scheduledrecording process of the selected broadcast program. This agrees withthe fact that: the broadcast program selection and the recordingschedule process are completed using the EPG, and then the scheduledrecording process is completed to the selected broadcast program; andeven before the original broadcast starting time of the selectedbroadcast program, the playback process can be performed to the imagecontent of the selected broadcast program (namely, the program contentof the recording program). Meanwhile, viewing the image content of thebroadcast program before the original broadcast starting time of thebroadcast program is unfavorable to the service provider that providesthe broadcast program. Therefore, a broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment handles restriction ofplayback-starting allowable date and time of the recording program.

Operational Sequence in Recording-Program Playback

FIG. 12 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of a recording-program playback process in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. Incidentally,a series of operations of the recording schedule process and thescheduled recording process in the broadcast reception device 100according to the present embodiment is the same as that in theoperational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 11 , and thusdescriptions thereof will be omitted.

Processes at S1201 to S1204 operate similarly to the processes at S901to S904 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 9 , andthus descriptions thereof will be omitted. When a user operates a cursorkey and an OK key of a remote controller not illustrated so as to selecta predetermined recording program on a recording-program list displayscreen 163 c displayed by a process at S1204 (S1205), a receptionfunction execution unit 1102 reads recording-date information 1302,recording-time information 1303, recording-program identificationinformation 1307, recording-program-content storage-destinationinformation 1308, and a recording mode 1306 for the predeterminedrecording program, from a recording-program information table stored ina recording-content storage area 1300 (S1206).

Incidentally, in a digital broadcasting service according to the presentembodiment, program identification information, program-contentstorage-destination information, and playback-starting allowable dateand time information on a broadcast program as a scheduled-recordedtarget are stored, as program related information, in a programinformation data stream. The broadcast reception device 100 according tothe present embodiment also performs the series of operations of therecording schedule process and the scheduled recording process similarlyto the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 11 . In processat S1112, however, the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information on the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target are stored into the recording-programidentification information 1307 and the recording-program-contentstorage-destination information 1308 of the recording-programinformation table in the recording-content storage area 1300, andfurthermore the playback-starting allowable date and time information onthe broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target is stored into therecording-date information 1302 and the recording-time information 1303of the recording-program information table. That is, the recording-dateinformation 1302 and the recording-time information 1303 read by theprocess at S1206 are information on the playback-starting allowable dateand time of the image content relating to the selected predeterminedrecording program.

After the process at S1206, the reception function execution unit 1102compares time information on a built-in clock not illustrated with therecording-date information 1302 and the recording-time information 1303read at S1206 (S1207). When current time is before the playback-startingallowable date and time of the image content relating to the selectedpredetermined recording program designated by the recording-dateinformation 1302 and the recording-time information 1303 (S1207: No),the reception function execution unit 1102 does not perform the playbackprocess of the selected predetermined recording program, and causes abroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a to display the image of thecurrently-viewing broadcast program onto an image display unit 163(S1208). Meanwhile, when the current time is after the playback-startingallowable date and time of the image content relating to the selectedpredetermined recording program designated by the recording-dateinformation 1302 and the recording-time information 1303 (S1207: Yes),processes at S1209 to S1213 are performed so that the playback processof the image content relating to the selected predetermined recordingprogram is performed. Incidentally, the processes at S1209 to S1213operate similarly to the processes at S907 to S911 in the operationalsequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 9 , and thus descriptions thereofwill be omitted.

As described above, the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment can also acquire the same effect as those accordingto the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Further, thebroadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodiment canprovide the restriction to the playback-starting allowable date and timeof the recording program, and can prevent the image content relating tothe broadcast program from being viewed before the original broadcaststarting time of the broadcast program. That is, the broadcast receptiondevice capable of the more useful recording process and playback processcan be provided.

Incidentally, the playback-starting allowable date and time informationmay be the original broadcast starting time of the broadcast program,may be an original broadcast ending time of the broadcast program, ormay be arbitrarily specified different time.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment according to the present embodiment will bedescribed below. Incidentally, unless otherwise noted, a configurationand an effect etc. according to the present embodiment are the same asthose according to the third embodiment. Accordingly, differencesbetween the present embodiment and the third embodiment will be mainlydescribed below, and descriptions of points in common will be omitted inorder to avoid duplication as much as possible.

Operational Sequence in Recording-Program Playback

FIG. 13 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of a recording-program playback process in a broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. Incidentally,a series of operations of a recording schedule process and a scheduledrecording process in the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment is performed similarly to the operational sequencediagram illustrated in FIG. 11 . That is, in a process at S1112,playback-starting allowable date and time information on a broadcastprogram as a scheduled-recorded target is not stored into recording-dateinformation 1302 and recording-time information 1303 of arecording-program information table.

Processes at S1301 to S1307 in the figure operate similarly to theprocesses at S901 to S907 in the operational sequence diagramillustrated in FIG. 9 , and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

A basic operation execution unit 4101 of a service provider server 400transmits, to an image-content management/distribution execution unit4102, recording-program identification information 1307,recording-content storage-destination information 1308, and a recordingmode 1306 of a predetermined recording program received through the LANcommunication unit 421. The image-content management/distributionexecution unit 4102 refers to a content information table stored in ametadata storage area 4200 based on the received recording-programidentification information 1307. Furthermore, by acquiring contentstorage location information 4202 and a content name 4203 correspondingto program identification information 4201 agreeing with the receivedrecording-program identification information 1307, an image contentrelating to the predetermined recording program is selected (S1308).Instead of the acquisition of the content storage location information4202 and the content name 4203, directory information and a file nameacquired by interpreting the received recording-contentstorage-destination information 1308 may be used. The image-contentmanagement/distribution execution unit 4102 further acquires contentbroadcast-date information 4206 and content broadcast-time information4207 so as to compare time information on a built-in clock notillustrated with the content broadcast-date information 4206 and thecontent broadcast-time information 4207 that have been acquired (S1309).The content broadcast-date information 4206 and the contentbroadcast-time information 4207 in the content information table storedin the metadata storage area 4200 are information on the originalbroadcast date and time of the corresponding image content, andinformation on restriction of the playback-starting allowable date andtime of the image content.

When current time is before the playback-starting allowable date andtime of the selected image content designated by the contentbroadcast-date information 4206 and the content broadcast-timeinformation 4207 in the process at S1309 (S1309: No), the image-contentmanagement/distribution execution unit 4102 transmits an error to thebroadcast reception device 100 (S1310). The broadcast reception device100 that has received the error from the service provider server 400(S1311) notifies a user of the fact that the playback process of theimage content relating to the predetermined recording program cannot beperformed by control of a reception function control unit 1102.Furthermore, a broadcast-program playback unit 1102 a displays the imageof the currently-viewing broadcast program on an image display unit 163(S1312), and then a series of processes thereof is completed.Incidentally, a notification process may clarify, to the user, theplayback-starting allowable time of the image content relating to thepredetermined recording program.

Meanwhile, when the current time is after the playback-startingallowable date and time of the selected image content designated by thecontent broadcast-date information 4206 and the content broadcast-timeinformation 4207 (S1309: Yes), the processes at S1313 to S1315 areperformed so that the playback process of the image content relating tothe selected predetermined recording program is performed. Incidentally,processes at S1313 to S1315 operate similarly to the processes at S909to S911 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 9 , andthus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment can also acquire the same effect as that according tothe third embodiment. In a digital broadcasting service according to thepresent embodiment, the playback-starting allowable date and timeinformation is not required to be included in a program data stream, andthe broadcast reception device 100 is not required to perform a processto the restriction of the playback-starting allowable date and time ofthe recording program. That is, the broadcast reception device capableof the more useful recording process and playback process can beprovided.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.Incidentally, unless otherwise noted, a configuration and an effect etc.according to the present embodiment are the same as those according tothe first embodiment. Accordingly, differences between the presentembodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described below, anddescriptions of points in common will be omitted in order to avoidduplication as much as possible.

In a broadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodiment,a description will be made of an example of a case where anauthentication process is performed with a content server storing animage content relating to a broadcast program (or recording program) asa scheduled-recorded target at a time of operations of a scheduledrecording process and a recording-program playback process.

Software Configuration of Broadcast Reception Device

FIG. 14A is a diagram of a software configuration of the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment, andillustrates each software configuration of a ROM 103, a RAM 104, and astorage unit 110. In the block diagram of the software configuration ofthe broadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodiment,an authentication-information storage area 1400, which stores logininformation etc. when the broadcast reception device 100 accesses eachcontent server, is added to the storage unit 110 in comparison to thediagram of the software configuration of the broadcast reception device100 described in the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 2B).

FIG. 14B is a conceptual diagram for describing an example of a dataformat of an authentication information table stored in theauthentication-information storage area 1400. The authenticationinformation table includes information such as a reference number 1401,service name information 1402, access destination information 1403,login name information 1404, password information 1405, and credit cardinformation 1406. Different information may be further included.

The reference number 1401 is used for managing respective pieces ofauthentication information stored in the authentication informationtable. The service name information 1402 is information on a servicename of a content distribution service accessed by the broadcastreception device 100. The access destination information 1403 isidentification information such as an IP address for identifying, on anetwork, a server device that performs the content distribution service.The login name information 1404 and the password information 1405 are alogin name and a password used in accessing the server device thatperforms the content distribution service by the broadcast receptiondevice 100. The credit card information 1406 is information relating toa credit card possessed by a user of the broadcast reception device 100.

Configuration of Service Provider Server

FIG. 15A is a block diagram showing an example of an internalconfiguration of the service provider server 400. The service providerserver 400 according to the present embodiment also includes a maincontrol unit 401, a system bus 402, a RAM 404, a storage unit 410, and aLAN communication unit 421. In comparison to the internal configurationof the service provider server 400 described in the first embodiment(FIG. 4A), a user-information storage area 4500, which storesinformation etc. on the user allowing access to the service providerserver 400, is added to the storage unit 410.

FIG. 15B is a conceptual diagram for describing an example of a dataformat of a user information table stored in the user-informationstorage area 4500. The user information table includes information suchas a reference number 4501, user name information 4502, user associatedinformation 4503, password information 4504, and expiration dateinformation 4505. Different information may be further included.

The reference number 4501 is used for managing respective pieces of userinformation stored in the user information table. The user nameinformation 4502 is identification information for identifying usersallowing access to the service provider server 400. The user associatedinformation 4503 is associated information on each of the users (e.g.,address and telephone number). The password information 4504 is apassword registered for accessing the service provider server 400 byeach of the users. The expiration date information 4505 is informationrelating to an expiration date of access permission of each user to theservice provider server 400.

An operation of the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment will be described below.

Operational Sequence in Scheduled Recording

FIG. 16 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of the scheduled recording process in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. Incidentally,processes at S1601 to S1606 operate similarly to the processes at S801to S806 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 8 , andthus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

When program related information containing program identificationinformation and program-content storage-destination information on thebroadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target is acquired by theprocess at S1606, a reception function execution unit 1102 interpretsthe acquired program-content storage-destination information, andextracts information (e.g., IP address information) for identifying, onthe network, the content server (service provider server 400 in thepresent embodiment) storing the image content relating to the broadcastprogram as the scheduled-recorded target. Furthermore, the login name1404 and the password 1405 corresponding to the service provider server400 are acquired with reference to the authentication information tablein the authentication-information storage area 1400. After that, thereception function execution unit 1102 transmits, to the serviceprovider server 400, the login name 1404 and the password 1405 that havebeen acquired, and requests user authentication (S1607). Incidentally,the login name and the password, which are transmitted to the serviceprovider server 400, may be appropriately inputted by operating a remotecontroller not illustrated.

A basic operation execution unit 4101 of the service provider server 400transmits the login name 1404 and the password 1405, which are receivedthrough the LAN communication unit 421, to an image-contentmanagement/distribution execution unit 4102. Based on the received loginname 1404, the image-content management/distribution execution unit 4102refers to the user information table stored in the user-informationstorage area 4500. Furthermore, the password information 4504corresponding to the user name information 4502 agreeing with thereceived login name 1404 is compared with the received passwordinformation 1405, and additionally the expiration date information 4505is confirmed so that a user authentication process is performed (S1608).In the process at S1608, when the received password information 1405agrees with the password information 4504, the user authenticationsucceeds. When the received password information 1405 does not agreewith the password information 4504, when the information stored in theexpiration date information 4505 indicates that the expiration date hasexpired, or when no user name agreeing with the received login name 1404is present in the user information table, the user authentication fails.The image-content management/distribution execution unit 4102 transmitsan authentication result in the process at S1608 to the broadcastreception device 100 through the LAN communication unit 421.

The broadcast reception device 100, which has received theauthentication result from the service provider server 400 (S1609),confirms the received authentication result based on the control of theprogram recording execution unit 1104 (S1610). As a result, when theuser authentication process succeeds in the service provider server 400(S1610: Yes), the program recording execution unit 1104 stores, into arecording-program information table in a recording-content storage area1300, the program related information containing the programidentification information and the program-content storage-destinationinformation on the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded targetacquired by the process at S1606, together with the informationdescribed in a scheduled information table in a scheduled-informationstorage area 1200 referenced by the process at S1601 (S1611). When theprocess at S1611 is completed, a schedule management execution unit 1103deletes the scheduled information stored into the scheduled informationtable in the scheduled-information storage area 1200 (S1612).

Meanwhile, when the user authentication process fails in the serviceprovider server 400 (S1610: No), the process at S1611 is not performedand the schedule management execution unit 1103 deletes the scheduledinformation stored into the scheduled information table in thescheduled-information storage area 1200 (S1612). Alternatively, theprogram content (TS or ES) of the broadcast program as ascheduled-recorded target outputted from the demultiplexer 132 may bestored, as it is or after the performance of the transcoding process,into the recording-content storage area 1300 in the storage unit 110 orinto the HDD coupled to the extended I/F unit 124.

Operational Sequence in Recording-Program Playback

FIG. 17 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of a recording-program playback process in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. Incidentally,processes at S1701 to S1706 in the figure are the same as the processesat S901 to S906 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG.9 , and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Recording-program identification information 1307,recording-program-content storage-destination information 1308, and arecording mode 1306 relating to a predetermined recording programselected by the process at S1705 are read from the recording-programinformation table stored in the recording-content storage area 1300 bythe process at S1706, and then the reception function execution unit1102 interprets the read recording-program-content storage-destinationinformation 1308 and extracts, on the network, information (e.g., IPaddress information) for identifying the content server (the serviceprovider server 400 in the present embodiment) storing the image contentrelating to the recording program. Furthermore, the login name 1404 andthe password 1405 corresponding to the service provider server 400 areacquired with reference to the authentication information table in theauthentication-information storage area 1400. After that, the receptionfunction execution unit 1102 transmits, to the service provider server400, the login name 1404 and the password 1405 that have been acquired,and requests user authentication (S1707). Incidentally, the login nameand the password, which are transmitted to the service provider server400, may be appropriately inputted by operating a remote controller notillustrated.

A process at S1708 in the service provider server 400 is the same as theprocess at S1608 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG.16 , and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The broadcast reception device 100 that has received an authenticationresult from the service provider server 400 (S1709) confirms thereceived authentication result by the control of the reception functionexecution unit 1102 (S1710). As a result, when the user authenticationprocess succeeds in the service provider server 400 (S1710: Yes),processes at S1711 to S1715 are performed. Incidentally, the processesat S1711 to S1715 are the same as the processes at S907 to S911 in theoperational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 9 , and thusdescriptions thereof will be omitted. The broadcast reception device 100achieves the recording-program playback process to the predeterminedrecording program by the above operation.

Meanwhile, when the user authentication process fails in the serviceprovider server 400 (S1710: No), the processes at S1711 to S1715 are notperformed, namely, the recording-program playback process is notperformed to the predetermined recording program, but abroadcast-program playback unit 1102 a displays the image of thecurrently-viewing broadcast program on the image display unit 163(S1716).

As the operation of the scheduled recording process and the operation ofthe recording-program playback process are described above, thebroadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodiment canperform the authentication process with the service provider server 400storing the image content relating to the broadcast program as arecorded target (or recording program) at a time of the operation of thescheduled recording process and the operation of the recording-programplayback process. That is, only the broadcast reception device 100possessed by the user, who has previously made a contract with theservice provider that provides the broadcast programs, can acquire theimage content provided by the service provider.

Incidentally, the login name 1404 and the password 1405 are transmittedtogether with the credit card information 1406 in the process at S1607in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 16 , or in theprocess at S1707 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG.17 so that a charging process may be performed simultaneously with theuser authentication process in performing the scheduled recordingprocess or in performing the recording-program playback process. Forexample, the charging process depending on the image content relating tothe broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target maybe subjected tothe user during the scheduled recording process, and then the imagecontent may be viewed with no charging during the recording-programplayback process to the image content. Alternatively, no chargingprocess may be subjected to the user during the scheduled recordingprocess of the broadcast program as a scheduled-recorded target, but thecharging process may be given when the recording-program playbackprocess is performed to the image content relating to the broadcastprogram. Further, a fee of the charging process may be varied dependingon length of playback duration, image quality, popularity of the imagecontent, or the like.

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.Incidentally, unless otherwise noted, a configuration and an effect etc.according to the present embodiment are the same as those according tothe first embodiment. Accordingly, differences between the presentembodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described below, anddescriptions of points in common will be omitted in order to avoidduplication as much as possible.

A broadcast reception device 100 according to the present embodimentoperates a scheduled recording process similarly to that in theoperational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 8 . Incidentally, in aprocess at S807, at the same time that the program related informationcontaining the program identification information and theprogram-content storage-destination information on the broadcast programas a scheduled-recorded target acquired by the process at S806 is storedinto the recording-program information table in the recording-contentstorage area 1300, the program content (TS or ES) of the broadcastprogram as the scheduled-recorded target is stored in therecording-content storage area 1300. The content processing unit 151 mayperform a transcoding process, as the need arises, to the programcontent of the broadcast program as the scheduled-recorded target basedon setting of the “recording mode” key in the schedule setting key 163 b3 on the program-detailed-information display screen 163 b. Further,besides the program-content storage-destination information acquired bythe process at S806, information on a storage location of the programcontent in the storage of the broadcast reception device 100 is storedin the recording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 ofthe recording-program information table in the recording-content storagearea 1300.

Additionally, in a digital broadcasting service according to the presentembodiment, the program content of each broadcast program distributedthrough the broadcast wave transmitted from the radio wave tower 300Thas a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, and the image content relating toeach of the broadcast programs available from the service providerserver 400 has a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels.

Operational Sequence in Recording-Program Playback

FIG. 18 is an operational sequence diagram for describing an example ofan operation of a recording-program playback process in the broadcastreception device 100 according to the present embodiment. Incidentally,processes at S1801 to S1806 in the figure are the same as the processesat S901 to S906 in the operational sequence diagram illustrated in FIG.9 , and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Recording-program identification information 1307,recording-program-content storage-destination information 1308, and arecording mode 1306 for a predetermined recording program selected bythe process at S1805 are read by the process at S1806 from therecording-program information table stored in the recording-contentstorage area 1300, and thereafter a reception function execution unit1102 displays a content-distribution confirmation screen on the imagedisplay unit 163 (S1807). The content-distribution confirmation screenis a screen display for asking a user whether the recording-programplayback process is performed to the selected predetermined recordingprogram by acquiring the program content (a resolution of 7680×4320pixels) from the service provider server 400 or by reading the programcontent (a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels) stored in therecording-content storage area 1300.

FIG. 19 is a view of a screen display for describing an example of thecontent-distribution confirmation screen displayed by the process atS1807. The content-distribution confirmation screen 163 d includes: amessage box 163 d 1 that displays a message for asking the user whetherthe image content relating to the selected predetermined recordingprogram is acquired from the service provider server 400; and aselection-operation key 163 d 2 for selecting an operation. When a “Yes”key in the selection-operation key 163 d 2 is selected by operating acursor key and an OK key of a remote controller not illustrated, thebroadcast reception device 100 performs a process of acquiring the imagecontent from the service provider server 400. When a “No” key in theselection-operation key 163 d 2 is selected by operating the remotecontroller, the broadcast reception device 100 does not perform theprocess of acquiring the image content from the service provider server400. On the content-distribution confirmation screen 163 d displayed bythe process at S1807 in FIG. 18 , when the user operates the cursor keyand the OK key of the remote controller so as to select the “No” key inthe selection-operation key 163 d 2 (S1807: No), a program recordingexecution unit 1104 reads the program content (a resolution of 1920×1080pixels) of the selected predetermined recording program stored in therecording-content storage area 1300 based on the information on therecording-program-content storage-destination information 1308 in therecording-program information table (S1808). Furthermore, the receptionfunction execution unit 1102: transmits the read program content (aresolution of 1920×1080 pixels) to the demultiplexer 132; performs thedemultiplexing process to each data stream in the demultiplexer 132, thedecode processes to the image data stream and the sound data stream inthe image decoder 133 and the sound decoder 134, and the like; andoutputs the image signal and the sound signal of the broadcast programthrough the image superimposition unit 161 and the sound selector 162from the image display unit 163 and the speaker 164 (S1817).

Meanwhile, on the content-distribution confirmation screen 163 d, whenthe user operates the cursor key and the OK key of the remote controllerso as to select the “Yes” key in the selection-operation key 163 d 2(S1807: Yes), processes at S1809 to S1816 are performed so that theimage content (a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels) relating to theselected predetermined recording program is acquired from the serviceprovider server 400. Incidentally, processes at S1809 to S1816 are thesame as the processes at S1707 to S1714 in the operational sequencediagram illustrated in FIG. 17 , and thus descriptions thereof will beomitted. Furthermore, the reception function execution unit 1102:transmits the acquired image content (a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels)to the demultiplexer 132; performs the demultiplexing process to eachdata stream in the demultiplexer 132, the decode processes to the imagedata stream and the sound data stream in the image decoder 133 and thesound decoder 134, and the like; and outputs the image signal and thesound signal of the broadcast program through the image superimpositionunit 161 and the sound selector 162 from the image display unit 163 andthe speaker 164 (S1817).

The recording-program playback process in the broadcast reception device100 according to the present embodiment is achieved by the aboveoperation. That is, the broadcast reception device 100 according to thepresent embodiment allows the user to appropriately select the programcontent having normal resolution stored in the storage of the broadcastreception device 100 and the image content having high resolutionacquired from the service provider server 400 in viewing thepredetermined recording program. That is, the broadcast reception devicecapable of the more useful recording process and playback process can beprovided.

Also, in the process at S1809, credit card information 1406 istransmitted simultaneously with a login name 1404 and a password 1405 sothat a charging process may be performed simultaneously with a userauthentication process. In this manner, in viewing the predeterminedrecording program, the user can perform the recording-program playbackprocess to the recording program with the program content having normalresolution stored in the storage of the broadcast reception device 100free of charge and with the image content having high resolutionacquired from the service provider server 400 pay.

In the foregoing, the examples for embodying the present invention havebeen described in reference to the first to sixth embodiments. Needlessto say, however, the configurations of achieving techniques of thepresent invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and thusvarious modifications may be made.

For example, a configuration according to an embodiment may be partiallyreplaced with a configuration according to a different embodiment, or aconfiguration according to an embodiment may be added with aconfiguration according to a different embodiment. These entirely belongto the scope of the present invention. The numbers and the messages usedin the descriptions and the figures, etc. are just exemplary, and thusthe effect of the present invention is not influenced even whendifferent cases are adopted.

Further, the operation of the scheduled recording process based on thescheduled information table stored in the scheduled-information storagearea 1200 has been described as the operation of the recording processin each of the embodiments described above. Needless to say, however, asimilar effect can be acquired even when the recording process isperformed by the manual operation in viewing the broadcast program.Additionally, when the demultiplexer 132 and the image decoder 133, etc.appropriately perform the signal process after the image content isacquired from the service provider server 400, a process of anew storingthe acquired image content into the recording-content storage area ofthe storage unit 110 may be simultaneously performed.

The functions etc. of the present invention described above may bepartially or entirely achieved by hardware such as design of anintegrated circuit. Also, the functions may be achieved by software inwhich a microprocessor unit etc. interpret and execute the operationprograms for achieving the respective functions etc. The hardware andthe software may be used together.

Incidentally, the software that controls the broadcast reception device100 may be previously stored in the ROM 103 and/or the storage unit 110of the broadcast reception device 100 when a product is shipped. Afterthe product is shipped, the software may be acquired from the differentapplication server 500 etc. on the Internet 200 through the LANcommunication unit 121. Further, the software stored in a memory card,an optical disc, or the like may be acquired through the extendedinterface unit 124.

Also, control lines and information lines indicated in the figures areshown as those considered to be necessary for the descriptions, and allcontrol lines and information lines of the product are not necessarilyshown. In practice, almost all of the configurations may be consideredto be mutually coupled.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 . . . broadcast reception device; 101 . . . main control unit; 102 .. . system bus; 103 . . . ROM; 104 . . . RAM; 110 . . . storage unit;121 . . . LAN communication unit; 124 . . . extended interface unit; 131. . . tuner/demodulator; 132 . . . demultiplexer; 133 . . . imagedecoder; 134 . . . sound decoder; 135 . . . subtitle decoder; 141 . . .data-broadcasting reception processing unit; 142 . . . data-broadcastingengine; 143 . . . application control unit; 144 . . . applicationengine; 151 . . . content processing unit; 161 . . . imagesuperimposition unit; 162 . . . sound selector; 163 . . . image displayunit; and 164 . . . speaker.

1. An image display device comprising: a tuner receiving a broadcastwave, the broadcast wave including image information and soundinformation of a broadcast program, and program information related tothe broadcast program; a processor connected to the tuner; a networkinterface connected to the processor, and communicating with a serverthrough a network; a memory connected to the processor; a displaydisplaying an image; and a speaker outputting sound, wherein the programinformation includes at least: program identification information foridentifying the broadcast program; and program storage-destinationinformation for specifying a server device storing the broadcastprogram, as a manual recording process instructed by a user forrecording the broadcast program during the broadcast, the processoracquires the program identification information and the programstorage-destination information from the program information related tothe broadcast program during the broadcast received by the tuner, andstores the program identification information and the programstorage-destination information in the memory, as the manual recordingprocess to an operation of the manual recording, the processor does notexecute storage of the image information and the sound information ofthe broadcast program through the tuner in the memory and does notexecute storage of the image information and the sound information ofthe broadcast program through the network interface in the memory, as aplayback process when playing back the recorded broadcast program isinstructed, the processor: reads, from the memory, the programidentification information and the program storage-destinationinformation of the recorded broadcast program and transmits, through thenetwork interface to the server device specified by the programstorage-destination information, the program identification informationand the program storage-destination information which are read from thememory; receives, through the network interface from the server device,a content corresponding to the program identification information; andexecutes a process for outputting the sound from the speaker anddisplaying the image on the display, based on sound information andimage information of the received content.
 2. The image display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the program information further includes aplayback-starting allowable date and time indicating date and timecapable of starting distribution of the broadcast program stored in theserver device, the playback-starting allowable date and time beingdifferent from a broadcast starting date and time, as a manual recordingprocess instructed by a user for recording the broadcast program duringthe broadcast, the processor acquires the program identificationinformation, the program storage-destination information and theplayback-starting allowable date and time from the program informationrelated to the broadcast program during the broadcast received by thetuner, and stores the program identification information, the programstorage-destination information and the playback-starting allowable dateand time in the memory, as a playback process when playing back therecorded broadcast program is instructed, the processor: reads, from thememory, the program identification information and the programstorage-destination information of the recorded broadcast program, andtransmits, through the network interface to the server device specifiedby the program storage-destination information, the programidentification information and the program storage-destinationinformation which are read from the memory; receives, through thenetwork interface from the server device, a content corresponding to theprogram identification information; and executes a process foroutputting the sound from the speaker and displaying the image on thedisplay, based on sound information and image information of thereceived content, when the playback process of the recorded broadcastprogram is instructed, the processor further reads the playback-startingallowable date and time regarding the recorded broadcast program fromthe memory, compares current time and the playback-starting allowabledate and time, executes the playback process where the current time isafter the playback-starting allowable date and time, and does notexecute the playback process where the current time is before theplayback-starting allowable date and time.
 3. The image display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the memory further stores authenticationinformation for accessing the server device, and the processor transmitsthe authentication information through the network interface to theserver device specified by the program storage-destination informationthat has been read from the memory in the playback process.
 4. The imagedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the processor executes aprocess for displaying a content-distribution confirmation screen, andreceives the content from the server device based on selection operationon the content-distribution confirmation screen.
 5. The image displaydevice according to claim 1 further comprising: a display configured todisplay a recording-program list, wherein the processor causes thedisplay to display the recording-program list based on the programidentification information stored in the memory.
 6. The image displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein, as the manual recording processinstructed by the user for recording the broadcast program during thebroadcast, the processor acquires the program identification informationand the program storage-destination information from the programinformation related to the broadcast program during the broadcastreceived by the tuner, and stores the program identification informationand the program storage-destination information in a recording-contentstorage area of the memory.